“I’m looking forward to playing at FC Augsburg and in the Bundesliga,” said Parkhurst. “I’d like to do my bit so that we can achieve our aim of staying up in the second half of the season. I watched the game against Bayern Munich at the SGL arena and despite the defeat I was impressed with the fantastic atmosphere. That’s why I can hardly wait to get out there and play myself.”

Don’t underestimate the role of that “fantastic atmosphere.” It’s a quality that’s benefitting some teams at home, and the consistent presence of large, loud, television-friendly crowds was a major factor in the rise of England’s Premier League. It’s also one of the reasons many evaluate the Bundesliga as the world’s second-best league.

And no doubt about it: This is a great move for Parkhurst. The specter of the second division’s obviously worth noting, but this is his shot at playing in one of the best leagues in the world, even if that only lasts for six months. He not only has to jump at that chance, he should see it as a major career achievement.

“I worked my way into the Bundesliga.” Something nobody can ever take away.

More on Parkhurst’s fit at Augsburg:

“Michael Parkhurst is an experienced defender who played primarily at right-back for Nordsjaelland,” said sporting director Jürgen Rollmann. “It’s well known that we’ve had problems in that position. However, Parkhurst can also play on the left or in the centre of defence and we’re sure he’ll help our team.”

As of now, Augsburg sits 17th in the 18-team Bundesliga – relegation territory. They’re three points back of 16th-place Hoffenheim, but that spot’s not exactly safe. That only gets you into a relegation playoff against a 2. Bundesliga team. Augsburg are actually 10 points back of true safety.

So while this is a banner day for Parkhurst – a man who paid his dues in Denmark before getting this big break – in six months, it could turn sour. And for that matter, the professional lives of Hoffenheim’s Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams could take a turn for the worse come May.

Germany’s first division: Taking inventory of its U.S. internationals.

The suffering Swans have had their share of poor performances this season — Clement later said January transfer spending “is a must” if the club wants to stay up — but he’s throwing his hands up in the air when it comes to Wednesday’s loss at the Liberty Stadium.

“At times it was horrible to be on the sideline watching that, seeing my side trying but suffering for long periods. They’re not the games that will decide our season but it was hard to watch at times because they were so dominant. For me, one of the best sides I’ve ever come across. So many good athletes, so many intelligent footballers and it’s really hard to pin them down. We actually had some attempts on their goal so I’m disappointed we didn’t get on the score sheet but they were a far superior side to us. We’ve got to put it aside that game. We’ve got Everton away (next) and we’ve got to try and pick something up there.”

All that’s left is for Clement to pick up a clarinet, awkwardly blow into it, then point at Pep Guardiola and say, “He’s good.”

United didn’t have it’s A-game, but that was okay thanks to fine defensive play from star backstop David De Gea and some gutsy tackles from Phil Jones. The goal came when Juan Mata‘s cross was nodded home by Romelu Lukaku in the 25th minute, and United rode that marker for all it was worth to stay three points ahead of third place Chelsea.

How good is Man City? Pep Guardiola‘s bunch have now won a Premier League record 15-straight in a single season, and have scored 52 goals while conceding just 11. Markers 49-52 came from David Silva (two), Kevin De Bruyne, and Sergio Aguero. Tottenham is next.

A ball bounded off Ahmed Hegazi’s body, and off Dominic Solanke‘s body and forearm to give Liverpool its presumed breakthrough, but the call was intentional handball. The Reds had myriad chances to score before that, but instead hand a point to the visiting Baggies.

The chances were there for dominant Arsenal, but the winning goal did not materialize at the London Stadium. Marko Arnautovic did everything but score when West Ham did manage the ball, and Javier Hernandez rattled the cage late, but David Moyes men had to settle for a well-earned point.

8 – Eight different clubs have won more points away from home in the Premier League than Arsenal (9) this season – Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Burnley, Watford, Leicester & Spurs. Issue. pic.twitter.com/waUWHXCws6

Spurs are back in the Top Four thanks to a long Serge Aurier cross that fooled Mat Ryan and a Heung-Min Son deflection of a Christian Eriksen offering. Brighton’s just three points away from the drop zone with the loss.

Claude Puel‘s Foxes are flying, scoring goals for fun and encroaching on the Top Four after a horrible start to the Premier League season. Shinji Okazaki bagged his first Premier League brace, while Andy King and Riyad Mahrez also scored for Leicester, who is within five points of fourth and next faces Crystal Palace. Southampton’s goal came from Maya Yoshida.

1 – This is the first time that two Japanese players have scored for opposing sides in the history of the Premier League. Answer. https://t.co/HOApDbofnv